With carbon capture pipelines proliferating, U.S. regulators propose stricter rules to prevent a leak like on in Satartia, Mississippi, in 2020

A U.S. regulator on Wednesday proposed new rules to strengthen safety requirements for carbon dioxide and hazardous liquid pipelines at a time when carbon capture technologies see increased adoption to fight global warming.

The proposed rule, if adopted, would require CO2 pipeline operators to train emergency responders and ensure local first responders have the necessary detection equipment in the event of an emergency.

On January 15, 2025, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation released a pre-publication version of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would propose new safety regulations for pipelines that transport carbon dioxide (CO2).